When to Plant Coriander in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow August to April. Right now in September you can sow.

Also called cilantro, Chinese parsley.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Coriander guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Coriander

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The most frustrating herb in Australia. Coriander bolts to seed at the first hint of warmth, making it a cool-season-only crop in most zones. Both the leaves (cilantro) and seeds (coriander spice) are useful. Understanding its biology is the key to managing bolting. This is NOT a herb that grows like parsley. It is a rapid-lifecycle annual that wants to flower and die as fast as possible.

Planting Calendar for Cold / Highland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D - - - S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Coriander sowing time in Canberra?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cold / Highland zone right now, Coriander included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 11.2°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Coriander in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Sow April-June and September-November. Cool conditions are ideal.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with compost. Consistent moisture critical.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade essential in warm zones to delay bolting.
Spacing
5cm apart, 20cm between rows
Watering
Keep consistently moist at all times. Any drought stress triggers bolting. Mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.

Companion plants: Dill, Chervil, Parsley, Lettuce

Avoid planting near: Fennel

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Coriander

Recommended Varieties

  • Common coriander
  • Slow Bolt

Key Challenges

  • Cold soil slows germination
  • Frost kills plants

Pro Tips

  • Excellent coriander climate during growing season
  • The cool air that makes other herbs struggle is exactly what coriander wants
  • Protect from frost but otherwise let it do its thing

Harvesting Coriander

When ready: Harvest leaves once plants are 10-15cm tall. Harvest before any sign of central flower stem elongation.

How to harvest: Cut outer leaves at base, leaving central growing point. Or cut entire plant 3cm above soil for regrowth (one regrowth only). For seed: let plants bolt, flower, and set seed until brown.

Common Coriander Pests in Cold / Highland Zones

Powdery Mildew and Aphids, risk: MODERATE (score: 42/100)

Organic prevention: Fast-growing coriander usually outpaces aphid damage. Healthy plants resist better.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What coriander costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

Common Questions About Coriander

When do you plant coriander in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does coriander grow all year round in Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Jan to Apr, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is coriander called?

Coriander is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it cilantro, Chinese parsley. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.